Pot poker game and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a game of poker pits a dealer against two or more players. Players make an opening bet, the outcome of which may be determined, on a player by player basis, by comparing a hand value of each player hand to the dealer hand. Players may make a pot bet, the outcome of which may be determined by comparing hand values of all hands, including the dealer hand and all player hands. Player may additionally make a bonus bet, the outcome of which may be determined by comparing a value of at least one player hand to a bonus bet pay table. In one embodiment, players may make a low range bonus bet, in which the outcome of the bet is determined by comparing the value of the betting player&#39;s hand against the pay table. In one embodiment, players may make a high range bonus bet, in which the outcome of the bet is determined by comparing the value of all player hands against the pay table. A specially-configured table, adapted for the play of embodiments of the poker game of the present invention, may also be provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to card games and methods therefor and,more particularly, to an improved poker game and method therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Card games are popular both socially and for gambling purposes. Poker,and its many variations, is among the most common card games, especiallyfor gambling. The general aim of poker is to collect a five card handthat is superior to the five card hand of one or more opponents or totry to bet in such a way as to cause opponents to believe that theirhand is inferior and subsequently “fold” (concede or turn in) theirhand. In the game of poker, several players compete against one anotherfor one cumulative “pot” or sum of money. In casinos, the dealer or“house” draws a percentage, otherwise known as “the rake”, of each pot,thus generating revenue regardless of which player wins each hand.

There are many separate types of games within the poker family (such asTexas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud, Draw Poker, Hi-low, and Omaha) all ofwhich provide alternative formats for competing over a five card hand.Typically, these games involve a standard 52-card deck, although somevariations use multiple decks or add a few cards called jokers which canbe used as a substitute for any card in the deck.

Of all the many variations of poker, Texas Hold'em is the arguably themost famous, and perhaps the most popular. However, many poker playersfind that waiting for a high-quality poker hand is both time consumingand boring. Attempts have been made to liven up the game in severaldifferent ways. Gaming machines, such as video poker machines, allowpoker players the ability to play games with greater frequency. Inaddition, many of these machines offer variations on the game of pokerwhich cannot be found in casino poker rooms, such as the use of multipledecks and jokers. The proliferation of so many different variations ofpoker and the use of joker cards is a sign that poker player cravechange.

A need exists for providing a new, exciting variation of poker,including a method therefore.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method forplaying a card game of poker is disclosed. The method comprises: adealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to thedealer; wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used toform a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the twoor more players are used to form player hands; accepting an opening betfrom the two or more players; accepting a pot bet from the two or moreplayers; determining a value of the dealer hand; determining a value ofthe player hands; determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a playerby player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value ofthe dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a hand valuegreater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome ofthe pot bet by comparing the value of each player hand to each otherplayer hand and to the value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceedsof the pot bet to the hand having the highest value.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a methodfor playing a card game of poker is disclosed. The method comprises: adealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more players and to thedealer; wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used toform a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the twoor more players are used to form player hands; wherein the dealer dealsseven cards each to the dealer and to the two or more players, andwherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands is constructed fromfive of the seven cards; accepting an opening bet from the two or moreplayers; accepting a pot bet from the two or more players; determining avalue of the dealer hand; determining a value of the player hands;determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis,by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand,and awarding an amount to a player having a hand value greater than thevalue of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the pot bet bycomparing the value of each player hand to each other player hand and tothe value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceeds of the pot bet tothe hand having the highest value.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, apoker table is disclosed. The poker table comprises, in combination: adealer station and a plurality of player stations marked on a surface ofa table; at least one bonus bet pay table located on the surface of thetable, a card area located proximate each player station; a toss arealocated proximate each player station; an opening bet area locatedproximate each player station; a pot bet area located proximate eachplayer station; a first bonus bet area located proximate each playerstation; and a second bonus bet area located proximate the first bonusbet area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a table configured to play a poker gameconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table illustrating a bonus payout pay table for a bonus bet,consistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The basic object of the game of the present invention is to achieve thebest possible poker hand. Hand values may be calculated in the samemanner as in traditional poker games. Depending on the embodiment, aplayer hand may be compared to a dealer hand, to other player hands,and/or to a bonus pay table.

In one embodiment, the game may be played with a standard 52-card deckof cards. In another embodiment, the game may be played with a standard52-ard deck, plus a single joker. If desired, more than one joker may beutilized.

For various embodiments of the game of the present invention, at leastthree different bets or wagers are contemplated. These are as follows:

A “Bet”—this is the opening wager of the player, and is placed againstthe dealer's (house's) hand. The amount of the bet may be any desiredamount between the table minimum and maximum bet. For example, if thetable limits for a particular table are $5 to $2,000, a player may placea bet in the amount of $5; $2,000; or an amount in between these two(e.g., $20).

B. “Pot Bet”—this is a wager that is placed before any card is dealt. Itis a special wager. All players on the table must make this bet and,preferably, the dealer/house also makes this bet. The pot, consisting ofall pot bets, will be awarded to the highest ranking poker hand on thetable, including the dealer/house hand. In the event of a tie betweentwo or more hands (including the house/dealer hand), the pot will bedivided equally among those holding such hands. Preferably, the pot betis equal to the table minimum.

C. “Bonus Bet”—this is a special wager that is placed before any card isdealt. A bonus bet is optional. Preferably, a range is provided for abonus bet—e.g., $1-$100. It is further preferred to provide, within thebonus bet range, a low range (e.g., $1-$4) and a high range (e.g.,$5-$100). A bonus within the low range will be a bet on the player'shand only, and the outcome of the bet will be determined by comparingthe individual player hand to a first bonus bet pay table. A bonus betwithin the high range will be a bet on all player hands (but excludingthe dealer/house hand), and the outcome of the bet will be determined bycomparing all player hands to a second bonus bet pay table.

In one embodiment of a poker game of the present invention, playproceeds as follows:

1. Each player makes an opening bet and a “pot bet.” The pot bet equalsthe table minimum. (A pot bet may only be made if at least two playersare playing against the dealer.)

2. Optionally, a player may additionally place a bonus bet. In oneembodiment, there are two types of bonus bets—a low range bet and a highrange (or “all excess”) bet. For the low range bet, a player places abet only on the player's own hand, which will be compared at theconclusion of play to hands appearing in a column on a bonus bet paytable (see FIG. 2) to determine the outcome of the bonus bet. For thehigh range bet, a player places a bet only on all player hands (butpreferably not the dealer hand), all of which will be compared at theconclusion of play to hands appearing in another column of a bonus betpay table (see FIG. 2) to determine the outcome of the bonus bet. As thenames imply, the low range bet preferably costs less than the high rangebet. For example, the low range bet may cost between $1-$4, while thehigh range bet may cost between $5 and $100. Of course, the amounts canbe varied as desired.

3. Every player receives seven cards, which are dealt face down.

4. Players examine their cards, discard two, and play their best five byplacing their hand in a designated area on the table. Preferably,discarded cards are placed in a designated discard area. (See FIG. 1).

5. After all players have made their discards, the dealer turns over itshand, discards two cards, and plays its best five. Preferably, thedealer places its hand in full view of the players, in front of the chiptray. Again, discarded cards are preferably placed in designated discardarea.

6. Once the dealer band is exposed, players may not touch their cards orreset their hands.

7. The dealer will take the player cards, working one position at atime, and turn them over and spread them on the table so that the handvalue may be determined and displayed to all players. The dealercompares the dealer hand to each player hand, individually. If there arebonus bets, the dealer will also compare the player hands to a bonus paytable. To make the comparison between player and dealer hands, thedealer will use a designated hand ranking system, which may be thetraditional poker ranking system.

8. If the player hand is better than the dealer hand, the player winsthe opening bet, and the dealer will pay the player. If the player handis worse than the dealer hand, the player loses and the dealer will takethe player's opening bet The rules may provide that a tie results in aplayer loss or a push (i.e., a return of the player wager), as desired.

9. If the player has additionally made a low range bonus bet based onhis or her own hand, the dealer will also compare the player hand to thefirst bonus bet pay table. If the player hand appears on the pay table,the dealer will pay the player as provided by the first bonus bet paytable. If the player hand does not appear on the pay table, the dealerwill take the player's bonus bet.

10. If the player has made a high range bonus bet, the dealer will leaveall player hands on the table, until the dealer has compared each playerhand individually to the dealer hand. After that comparison, the dealerwill determine, for each player who has made a high range bonus bet, theoutcome of such bet by a comparison of all player hands to the secondbonus bet pay table.

11. In addition, whether before or after determining the outcome of anyhigh range bonus bet, the dealer will also determine the outcome of thepot bets. This is accomplished by comparing all hands, including allplayer hands and dealer hands, and then awarding the pot bets to thehighest hand. In one embodiment, a tie between highest hands, includingwhere one of the hands is a dealer hand, results in a sharing of the potbetween the tying hands.

It may be desired to provide that winning opening wagers are paid evenmoney, subject to a commission for the house. For example, it may beprovided that all winning bets will be charged a 5% commission, whichwill be collected immediately by the dealer. Such a commission may becharged in increments of 25 cents. Thus, where a player has placed awinning bet of $25, the 5% commission will be $1.25. The commission onodd unit bets may be charged on the next highest unit For example, wherea player bets $28 and wins, the bet the commission would be $1.50, thesame as it would be on a $30 bet. Preferably, no commission is chargedon the pot or bonus payout, though one may be charged if desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, the positions of the players and dealer around thetable may be assigned numerical values. For example, the dealer stationmay be position 7 and the player hands may be positions 1-6. In oneembodiment, station 1 is assigned to the first player position to thefarthest left of the dealer, and the continuing sequentially untilreaching position 6, which is the farthest position to the right of thedealer.

In one embodiment, the order in which players receive cards isdetermined by the use of a random number generator. For example, if therandom number generator generates the number 4, the dealer will begindealing at player position 4. In one embodiment, the dealer continuesthe deal moving from left to right—e.g., 4, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2, 3. The randomnumber generator could be electronic or, for example, could be a dice.

Where a random number generator is not used, it may be desired to beginthe deal with player position 1, and to continue the deal moving fromthe dealer's left to right—e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. In thisembodiment, the dealer receives the final set of cards.

It should be understood that in all embodiments, the dealer will onlydeal to occupied player positions, and will skip over empty positions.For example, if only player positions 2, 4, and 5 are occupied byplayers who have placed bets, and assuming, there is no random numbergenerator, the dealer will skip position 1, deal to position 2, skipposition 3, deal to positions 4 and 5, skip position 6, and then deal tothe dealer at position 7. As shown by way of example on FIG. 1, thebonus bet pay table(s) 12 may be displayed on the surface of the pokertable 10. Players may be provided with a card area 14, where the playerhand may be retained in a face down position until it is time to exposethe hand and compare hand values. A toss area 16 may be additionallyprovided, for use by players for tossing their discarded cards, for anembodiment in which players are dealt seven cards and play five. Anopening bet area 18 may be provided, for use by a player in placing theopening bet, and a pot bet area 20 for use by a player in placing thepot bet.

In addition a first bonus bet area 22 may be provided, with a secondbonus bet area 24 proximate thereto. A bonus bet may be placed in bonusbet area 22. During the process of hand value comparison, a dealer willexamine any bonus bet located in bonus bet area 22. If high and lowrange bonus bets are possible and a low range bonus bet has been made,the dealer may immediately determine the outcome of the bonus bet bycomparing the player's hand value to the bonus bet pay table 12. If theplayer has made a high range bonus bet and the player hand does notitself qualify for a bonus bet payoff, the dealer may slide the bonusbet to second bonus bet area 24, until all player hands have beenexposed and had their values determined, so that the outcome of the highrange bonus bet may then be determined.

In one embodiment of this invention, a Joker may be utilized. Accordingto one embodiment involving a Joker, the Joker may be used to fill anyStraights or Flushes, to pair up, use as of the third card with any pairfor a Three of a Kind, use as of the fourth card with a three of a kindfor Four of a Kind and use as of the fifth card with four more Acesonly. For this embodiment, hand ranking issues may be resolved accordingto the following order:

Highest hand: Five of a Kind (four Aces plus one Joker)

Royal Flush (natural, without a Joker) Royal Flush (with the Joker)Straight Flush (no Joker) (Note—the Highest rank Flush or StraightFlush: A-K-Q-J-10 The second highest Flush or Straight Flush: A-2-34-5)Straight Flush (with Joker) Four of a Kind (no Joker) Four of a Kind(three of Kind plus the Joker) Full House (no Joker) Full house (withJoker), (unless two Aces plus the Joker) Flush (no Joker) Flush (withJoker) Straight (no Joker) Straight (with Joker) Three of a Kind (noJoker), (except two Aces and the Joker) Three of a Kind Pair and theJoker) Two Pair (no Joker) Two Pair (with Joker), (unless one paircontains an Ace and Joker) One Pair (no Joker) One Pair (with Joker),(except the pair is an Ace with the Joker)

High card: In case the hands compared have no pair, the hand with thehighest card will be declared as the winner.If both hands have the same high card, the next highest card is countedin conjunction with the highest card to determine the winner (e.g., Ifone hand has a King and a Queen and the other hand has a King and aJack, the hand with the King and the Queen win be the winner).

In accordance with this hand ranking, construction of hands may proceedin accordance with the following examples:

Example 1—If there is not at least one pair out of seven cards, theplayer/dealer will toss the two lowest valued cards. Thus, if the handhas a King, Jack-9-7-4-3 and 2 that are not identically suited,player/dealer will toss the 3 and 2. The hand will be a high card hand(King high)—K-J-9-7-4.

Example 2—Generally, dealer/player will keep a pair and toss the two (2)lowest ranked cards. An exception occurs when a when Straight or Flushcan be preserved, in which case it should be played. Thus, if the handhas K-J-8-8-5-4-3 that are not identically suited, player/dealer willtoss the 4 and 3. The hand will be one pair (Pair of 8's).

Example 3—If the hand has K-J-8-8-5-4-3 where the cards are allidentically suited except for one of the 8 and the 5, the player/dealerwill toss the 8 and the 5. The hand will be a flush (K-J-8-4-3 suited).

Example 4 —if the hand has two pairs, player/dealer will generally tossthe two lowest valued cards. A player/dealer who has K-K-Q-10-10-9-8-7(not identically suited) will toss the 8 and 7, and will have a handthat includes two pairs (Pair of Kings and Pair of 10's). An exceptionoccurs when a straight or flush can be preserved, in which case theplayer/dealer will break up one or both pairs if needed. Thus, aplayer/dealer who has K-K-Q-J-10-10-9 (not identically suited) will tossone K and one 10. This creates a straight (K-Q-J-10), which is a higherranked poker hand then a hand that contains two pairs.

Example 5—if the seven card hand has three pairs, the player will keepthe two highest pairs and, depending on which is the better card tokeep, one card from the pair to be broken up or the last card of theseven deal cards—whichever is higher. If the dealer/player hand consistsof A-A-8-8-7-7-6 (not identically suited), the player/dealer will tossthe 6 and one 7, and the resulting hand value will be two pairs (a pairof Aces and a pair of 8's, with a 6 as the high card). If thedealer/player hand consists of A-A-K-8-8-7-7 (not identically suited),the player/dealer will toss the pair of 7's, and the resulting handvalue will be two pairs (a pair of Aces and a pair of 8's, with a K asthe high card).

Example 6—if the seven card hand has three of a kid, this will be keptunless a straight or a flush can be preserved. If the player/dealer handhas A-A-A-9-8-6-4 (not identically suited), the 6 and 4 will be tossed,and the resulting hand value will be three Aces. If the hand hasA-A-A-9-8-6-4 (identically suited except for two of the Aces), the twodifferently-suited Aces will be tossed, and the resulting hand valuewill be a flush consisting of A-9-8-6-4.

Example 7—if the seven card hand has two threes of a kind, the seventhcard will be tossed and the lower three of a kind will be broken up. Thehand that will be played will be the higher three of a kind and a pairfrom the second three of a kind, which will together be played as a fullhouse. If the hand has K-K-K-9-9-9-8, the 8 and one 9 will be tossed,with the resulting hand being K-K-K-9-9.

Example 8—generally, a straight will always be played even if it isnecessary to toss a pair or break up a three of a kind. However, if aflush or straight flush can be constructed, than the hand should beplayed at the highest hand value possible. If the hand isK-Q-10-9-3-3-3, with K-Q-10-9-3 being identically suited, the pair of3's will be tossed and the resulting hand will be a flush. (It should benoted that in one embodiment; the joker can be used to complete anystraight, flush or straight flush.)

Example 9—if the seven card band includes a three of a kind with twopairs, the lower-ranked pair will be tossed. If the hand isK-K-K-7-7-5-5, the pair of 5's will be tossed, resulting in a hand valuethat is a full house based on a pair of 7's and three Kings. Example10—if the seven card hand includes four of a kind, that will always beplayed. Four of a kind can be achieved naturally, or using a joker Inone embodiment, five of a kind is possible using the Joker. In one Jokerembodiment, only five Aces is permitted, and the Joker may not beutilized to achieve any other five of a kind combination.

In one embodiment, a tie between dealer and player hands results in aloss for the player hand. For example, if the player hand has two jacks,a 9 of hearts, a 5 of clubs and an 8 of diamonds, the player hand willtie a dealer hand consisting of two jacks, a 5 and a 9 of diamonds, andan 8 of hearts. In such instance, the dealer wins. If the player anddealer hands are each straights, high card determines the winner. Ifthey are both flushes, high card determines the winner—followed bysecond highest card and so on in the event individual cards are tied.For example, if there are two flushes on the table and both start withan Ace as the highest card of the hand, and if the second card of one ofthe flush is a King and the second card of the other flush is a Jack,the first flush will be declared the winner between these two hands.

The following table illustrates hand value probabilities, for a game ofpoker played in accordance with the examples provided above andconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention:

HAND COMBINATIONS PROBABILITY FIVE ACES 1128 0.00000732 STRAIGHT/ROYAL210964 0.00136862 FOUR OF A KIND 307472 0.00199472 FULL HOUSE 41885280.02717299 FLUSH 6172088 0.04004129 STRAIGHT 11236028 0.07289350 THREEOF A KJND 7470676 0.04846585 TWO PAIR 35553816 0.23065464 PAIR 642219600.41663862 NOTHING 24780420 0.16076246 TOTAL 154143080 1

The following table illustrates the probability outcome of each hand,and how the hand should be set to maximize its value, for a game ofpoker played in accordance with the examples provided above andconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention:

5-Card 5-card hand 2-Card hand 2-Card hand 9 high 0.0002 3-2 0.0007 10high 0.0018 4-2 0.0021 Jack 0.0081 4-3 0.0034 Q-5 0.0086 5-2 0.0046 Q-60.0108 5-3 0.0057 Q-7 0.0154 5-4 0.0068 Q-8 0.0209 6-2 0.0079 Q-9 0.02476-3 0.0089 Q-10 0.0257 6-4 0.0099 Q-J 0.0257 6-5 0.0108 K-5 0.0265 7-20.0118 K-6 0.0299 7-3 0.0128 K-7 0.0374 7-4 0.0138 K-8 0.0479 7-5 0.0149K-9 0.0586 7-6 0.0164 K-10 0.0654 8-2 0.0178 K-J 0.0671 8-3 0.0187 K-Q0.0671 8-4 0.0196 A-6 0.0671 8-5 0.0206 A-7 0.0829 8-6 0.0222 A-8 0.10198-7 0.0259 A-9 0.1245 9-2 0.0292 A-10 0.1453 9-3 0.0301 A-J 0.1575 9-40.0309 A-Q 0.1608 9-5 0.0319 A-K 0.1608 9-6 0.0335 Pair of 0.1729 9-70.0376 Pair of 0.2048 9-8 0.0472 Pair of 0.2377 10-2  0.0543 Pair of0.2716 10-3  0.0553 Pair of 0.3067 10-4  0.0563 Pair of 0.3432 10-5 0.0574 Pair of 0.3842 10-6  0.0591 Pair of 0.4274 10-7  0.0632 Pair of0.4691 10-8  0.073 Pair of 0.5125 10-9  0.0921 Pair of 0.564 J-2 0.105Pair of 0.6184 J-3 0.1062 Pair of 0.6852 J-4 0.1073 2 Pair 0.7503 J-50.1085 2 Pair 0.7543 J-6 0.1102 2 Pair 0.7601 J-7 0.1142 2 Pair 0.7676J-8 0.1232 2 Pair 0.7767 1-9 0.1414 2 Pair 0.7867 J-10 0.1729 2 Pair0.7969 Q-2 0.1931 2 Pair 0.8074 Q-3 0.1945 2 Pair 0.8146 Q-4 0.1957 2Pair 0.8203 Q-5 0.197 2 Pair 0.8257 Q-6 0.1989 2 Pair 0.8261 Q-7 0.2027Three 0.8286 Q-8 0.2109 Three 0.8340 Q-9 0.2269 Three 0.8393 Q-10 0.2551Three 0.8446 Q-J 0.2994 Three 0.8499 K-2 0.3268 Three 0.8552 K-3 0.3285Three 0.8609 K-4 0.3302 Three 0.8665 K-5 0.3323 Three 0.8718 K-6 0.3350Three 0.8771 K-7 0.3398 Three 0.8823 K-8 0.3487 Three 0.8876 K-9 0.3641Three 0.8909 K-10 0.3895 Straight 0.9030 K-J 0.4291 Straight 0.9105 K-Q0.4858 Straight 0.9176 A-2 0.5196 Straight 0.9211 A-3 0.5217 Straight0.9246 A-4 0.5242 Straight 0.9316 A-5 0.5272 Straight 0.9385 A-6 0.5312Straight 0.9453 A-7 0.5378 Straight 0.9522 A-8 0.5483 Straight 0.9623A-9 0.5647 Flush 6 0.9654 A-10 0.5892 Flush 7 0.9659 A-J 0.6248 Flush 80.9662 A-Q 0.6744 Flush 9 0.9668 A-K 0.7409 Flush10 0.9682 Pair of 2's0.7899 Flush J 0.9705 Pair of 3's 0.8116 Flush Q 0.9744 Pair of 4's0.8320 Flush K 0.9804 Pair of 5's 0.8512 Flush A 0.9974 Pair of 6's0.8693 Full 0.9984 Pair of 7's 0.8884 4 of a 0.9995 Pair of 8's 0.9083Straight 1 Pair of 9's 0.9268 Five 1 Pair of 10's 0.9439 Pair of Jacks0.9593 Pair of Queens 0.9726 Pair of Kings 0.9839 Pair of Aces 0.9945

The following table illustrates the number of combinations, probabilityand return for each hand in a game of poker played in accordance withthe examples provided above and consistent with an embodiment of thepresent invention:

Event Pays Combinations Probability Return Five Aces 400 to 1  11280.00000732 0.0029 Royal Flush/No 200 to 1  26020 0.0001688 0.0000 RoyalFlush W/ 150 to 1  26020 0.0001688 0.0253 Straight Flush/No 100 to 1 184644 0.00119787 0.0001 Straight Flush 50 to 1  184644 0.001197870.0598 Four of the Kind 30 to 1  307472 0.00199472 0.0336 Four of theKind 25 to 1  307472 0.00199472 0.0498 Full House/No 15 to 1  41885280.02717299 0.1358 Full House 10 to 1  4188528 0.02717299 0.0479 Flush/NoJoker 8 to 1 6172088 0.04004129 0.1601 Flush W/Joker 5 to 1 61720880.04004129 0.1513 3 of the Kind/No 4 to 1 7672500 0.04977518 0.1693 3 ofthe Kind 3 to 1 7672500 0.04977518 0.1647 Straight/No Joker 2 to 111034204 0.07158417 0.1431 Straight W/Joker 1 to 1 11034204 0.071584170.1994

The following table illustrates the return for a high range bonus betfor a game of poker played in accordance with the examples providedabove and consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. For ahigh range bonus bet, the value is 0.0463/b, where b is the amount ofthe bet. Each additional player at the table is worth 0.93%.

Five Aces 100 to 1  1128 0.00000732 0.0001 Royal Flush/No 50 to 1  260200.0001688 0.0003 Royal Flush 25 to 1  26020 0.0001688 0.0049 StraightFlush/No 20 to 1  184644 0.00119787 0.0324 Straight Flush W/ 15 to 1 184644 0.00119787 0.1358 Four of the Kind 10 to 1  307472 0.001994720.0479 Four of the Kind 5 to 1 307472 0.00199472 0.1513 Full House/No 4to 1 4188528 0.02717299 0.1693 Full House 3 to 1 4188528 0.027172990.1647 Flush/No Joker 2 to 1 6172088 0.04004129 0.1431 Flush W/Joker 1to 1 6172088 0.04004129 0.1994 3 of the Kind/No 0 7672500 0.04977518 0 3of the Kind 0 7672500 0.04977518 0 Straight/No Joker 0 110342040.07158417 0 Straight W/Joker 0 11034204 0.07158417 0

The following table shows the overall house edge according to both thepay table and the number of players for a game of poker played inaccordance with the examples provided above and consistent with anembodiment of the present invention:

Number of Players House Edge 6 5.52% 5 6.06% 4 6.60% 3 7.14% 2 7.68% 18.22%

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to preferred embodiments thereof it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1. A method for playing a game of poker comprising: a dealer dealing aplurality of cards to two or more players and to the dealer; wherein theplurality of cards dealt to the dealer are used to form a dealer handand wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the two or more players areused to form player hands; accepting an opening bet from the two or moreplayers; accepting a pot bet from the two or more players; determining avalue of the dealer hand; determining a value of the player hands;determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a player by player basis,by comparing a value of each player hand to a value of the dealer hand,and awarding an amount to a player having a hand value greater than thevalue of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome of the pot bet bycomparing the value of each player hand to each other player hand and tothe value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceeds of the pot bet tothe hand having the highest value.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein thedealer deals seven cards each to the dealer and to the two or moreplayers, and wherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands isconstructed from five of the seven cards.
 3. The method of claim 1further comprising accepting a bonus bet from at least one of the two ormore players, wherein the outcome of the bonus bet is determined bycomparing a value of at least one hand against a bonus bet pay table. 4.The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting a low range bonus betfrom at least one of the two or more players, wherein the outcome of thelow range bonus bet is determined by comparing a value of the handbelonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low rangebonus bet pay table.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprisingaccepting a high range bonus bet from at least one of the two or moreplayers, wherein the outcome of the high range bonus bet is determinedby comparing a value of each hand belonging to the two or more playersagainst a high range bonus bet pay table.
 6. The method of claim 3further comprising determining an outcome of the bonus bet by comparingthe value of at least one hand against the bonus bet pay table.
 7. Themethod of claim 4 further comprising determining an outcome of the lowrange bonus bet by comparing the value of the hand belonging to theplayer who has made the bonus bet against a low range bonus bet paytable.
 8. The method of claim 5 further comprising determining anoutcome of the high range bonus bet by comparing the value of each handbelonging to the two or more players against a high range bonus bet paytable.
 9. The method of claim 1 further comprising including a Joker ina deck of cards used to play the game of poker.
 10. The method of claim9 further comprising permitting the Joker to be used to create a handconsisting of five Aces, while prohibiting the Joker from being used tocreate any other five of a kind hand.
 11. The method of claim 1 furtherrequiring payment of a commission by a player upon receipt of a payoffof a successful opening bet.
 12. A method for playing a game of pokercomprising: a dealer dealing a plurality of cards to two or more playersand to the dealer, wherein the plurality of cards dealt to the dealerare used to form a dealer hand and wherein the plurality of cards dealtto the two or more players are used to form player hands; wherein thedealer deals seven cards each to the dealer and to the two or moreplayers, and wherein each of the dealer hand and the player hands isconstructed from five of the seven cards; accepting an opening bet fromthe two or more players; accepting a pot bet from the two or moreplayers; determining a value of the dealer band; determining a value ofthe player hands; determining an outcome of the opening bet, on a playerby player basis, by comparing a value of each player hand to a value ofthe dealer hand, and awarding an amount to a player having a band valuegreater than the value of the dealer hand; and determining an outcome ofthe pot bet by comparing the value of each player hand to each otherplayer hand and to the value of the dealer hand, and awarding proceedsof the pot bet to the hand having the highest value.
 13. The method ofclaim 12 further comprising accepting a bonus bet from at least one ofthe two or more players, wherein the outcome of the bonus bet isdetermined by comparing a value of at least one hand against a bonus betpay table.
 14. The method of claim 12 further comprising accepting a lowrange bonus bet from at least one of the two or more players, whereinthe outcome of the low range bonus bet is determined by comparing avalue of the hand belonging to the player who has made the bonus betagainst a low range bonus bet pay table.
 15. The method of claim 12further comprising accepting a high range bonus bet from at least one ofthe two or more players, wherein the outcome of the high range bonus betis determined by comparing a value of each hand belonging to the two ormore players against a high range bonus bet pay table.
 16. The method ofclaim 13 further comprising determining an outcome of the bonus bet bycomparing the value of at least one hand against the bonus bet paytable.
 17. The method of claim 14 further comprising determining anoutcome of the low range bonus bet by comparing the value of the handbelonging to the player who has made the bonus bet against a low rangebonus bet pay table.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprisingdetermining an outcome of the high range bonus bet by comparing thevalue of each hand belonging to the two or more players against a highrange bonus bet pay table.
 19. The method of claim 12 further comprisingincluding a Joker in a deck of cards used to play the game of poker andpermitting the Joker to be used to create a hand consisting of fiveAces, while prohibiting the Joker from being used to create any otherfive of a kind hand.
 20. A poker table comprising, in combination: adealer station and a plurality of player stations marked on a surface ofa table; at least one bonus bet pay table located on the surface of thetable; a card area located proximate each player station; a toss arealocated proximate each player station; an opening bet area locatedproximate each player station; a pot bet area located proximate eachplayer station; a first bonus bet area located proximate each playerstation; and a second bonus bet area located proximate the first bonusbet area.